Christian Norgaard's return to fitness appears to be the big highlight as Everton released photographs from training at Finch Farm this week. As the second week of the three-week international break draws to a close, the former Denmark international has been joining in with his team-mates during sessions at the Halewood complex.
Norgaard steps up recovery
Norgaard joined from champions Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, understood to be £7million, on August 5 after playing just 101 Premier League minutes for the Gunners in 2025/26. Almost two months on, fitness issues have prevented him from making his Everton debut.
Having stepped up his recovery, the 32-year-old has been pictured taking part in on-the-ball group activities this week. Video footage put out by the club on social media showed him scoring a goal in a training game.
Moyes hopeful on return
Speaking in his pre-match press conference before the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on September 12, manager David Moyes said of Norgaard: "We're hoping we get him back maybe somewhere after the international break, that's what we would hope."
Everton currently have 11 players away on international duty: Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, Jordan Pickford (England); Braiden Graham (Northern Ireland); Jake O'Brien (Republic of Ireland); Vitalii Mykolenko (Ukraine); Brennan Johnson, Tom King (Wales); Tyler Dibling, Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong (England U21).
Ten senior players at Finch Farm
Along with Norgaard, that leaves 11 senior players who have stayed back at Finch Farm, although Merlin Rohl is injured. The other nine fit squad members, who have been joined in training by members of the Blues' junior sides to make up the numbers, are Charly Alcaraz; Thierno Barry; Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Jack Grealish; Hayden Hackney; Michael Keane; Ainsley Maitland-Niles; James Tarkowski and Mark Travers.
With Jordan Pickford and Tom King away with England and Wales respectively, Travers is the only senior goalkeeper currently at Everton. Charly Alcaraz will be hoping to catch the manager's eye after coming off the bench to score Everton's winner in their Carabao Cup tie at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
